Intel Core i3-9320 vs Intel Core i7-8706G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though narrow, victory for the Intel Core i7-8706G across every Cinebench test in the comparison. The i7-8706G wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, while the Core i3-9320 does not record a single win. The margins are tight, ranging from 1.7% to 2.3%, which indicates that the two processors are closely matched in raw rendering workloads despite their different design goals.

In multi-core tests, the i7-8706G posts a 641 score in Cinebench R15 multicore against 630 for the i3-9320, a 1.7% advantage. The gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7-8706G scores 2674 versus 2626, a 1.8% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore follows the same pattern: 6368 for the i7-8706G and 6254 for the i3-9320, again a 1.8% difference. These results suggest that the i7-8706G's extra threads provide a measurable, but modest, benefit in multi-threaded rendering.

Single-core performance tells a similar story. The i7-8706G achieves 90 in Cinebench R15 singlecore, while the i3-9320 scores 88, a 2.3% advantage for the i7-8706G. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the i7-8706G leads 377 to 370, a 1.9% margin. The R23 singlecore test shows 899 for the i7-8706G against 882 for the i3-9320, another 1.9% win. Interestingly, the i3-9320 has a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, yet it still trails the i7-8706G in every single-core benchmark. This suggests that the i7-8706G's architecture, Kaby Lake, delivers better instructions per clock than the Coffee Lake-based i3-9320 in these specific tests, or that the benchmark environment favors the i7-8706G.

Looking at the broader database context, both processors sit at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are statistically tied in overall standing. The i7-8706G has an average benchmark score of 1842, while the i3-9320 averages 1808, a difference of about 1.9%. The nearest rivals for the i7-8706G include the Intel Core i5-7600 with an average score of 1844 (a 0.1% delta), the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G at 1836 (0.4% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U at 1832 (0.6% delta), and the Intel Core i5-8305G at 1831 (0.6% delta). For the i3-9320, the closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U at 1810 (a 0.1% delta), the Intel Core i3-9100 at 1806 (0.1% delta), the Intel Xeon E5-1620 v4 at 1802 (0.4% delta), and the Intel Core i5-6600K at 1816 (a 0.4% delta). These rival comparisons show that both processors are positioned in the same performance tier, with the i7-8706G holding a slight edge over the i3-9320 that is nearly within the noise of typical benchmark variance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share several fundamental design traits but diverge on key features that explain their benchmark behavior. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and feature 4 physical cores. The i7-8706G, however, supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i3-9320 is limited to 4 threads. This explains the multi-core advantage for the i7-8706G, even though the margin is smaller than one might expect from a 100% thread count increase. The i3-9320 compensates with higher clock speeds: its base clock is 3.70 GHz versus 3.10 GHz for the i7-8706G, and its boost clock reaches 4.40 GHz versus 4.10 GHz. In single-threaded workloads, those higher clocks nearly close the gap, but the i7-8706G still wins each single-core test by about 2%.

The cache hierarchy is identical: both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is also DDR4 for both, though the i3-9320 specifies a dual-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the memory bus for the i7-8706G is not recorded in the database. The i3-9320 supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i7-8706G, which is notable for workstation or reliability-focused builds.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. The i7-8706G carries a Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU, a high-performance discrete-class graphics solution embedded in the package. The i3-9320 uses Intel UHD Graphics 630, a mainstream integrated GPU. This is a major architectural difference: the i7-8706G is designed for compact mobile systems that need strong graphics without a separate GPU, while the i3-9320 targets desktop builds where a dedicated graphics card is expected.

The sockets and market segments reflect their intended platforms. The i7-8706G uses Intel BGA 2270, a soldered mobile socket, and is classified as a mobile processor. The i3-9320 uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop socket, and is classified as a desktop part. The i7-8706G comes from the Kaby Lake architecture with the Kaby Lake G codename, while the i3-9320 is Coffee Lake with a Coffee Lake Refresh generation label. The i7-8706G was released in January 2018 and remains active in production; the i3-9320 was released in April 2019 and is now end-of-life. The i3-9320 also has a recorded die size of 126 mm², while the die size for the i7-8706G is not listed.

The i3-9320 includes a part number, SRF7X, and its launch MSRP is $154, stated here once as recorded. The i7-8706G has no launch MSRP field in the database. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning overclocking is not supported on either. The i3-9320 specifies PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the CPU, while the i7-8706G has no PCIe data recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G wins all three multi-core benchmarks. It scores 641 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 630 for the i3-9320, 2674 in R20 multicore versus 2626, and 6368 in R23 multicore versus 6254. The margins are 1.7% to 1.8%.

Q: Does the higher clock speed of the i3-9320 translate into single-core wins?

A: No. Despite a 3.70 GHz base clock and 4.40 GHz boost clock, the i3-9320 loses every single-core test. The i7-8706G, with 3.10 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost, scores 90 to 88 in R15 singlecore, 377 to 370 in R20 singlecore, and 899 to 882 in R23 singlecore, a 1.9% to 2.3% advantage.

Q: What is the thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The i7-8706G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-9320 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i7-8706G's Hyper-Threading support provides twice the thread count.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-9320 supports ECC memory. The i7-8706G does not list ECC support in the database.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The i7-8706G includes a Radeon RX Vega M GL, which is a high-performance GPU solution. The i3-9320 has Intel UHD Graphics 630, a standard integrated GPU. This is a significant difference, with the i7-8706G offering far stronger graphics capability.

Q: What are the market segments for these CPUs?

A: The i7-8706G is a mobile processor using Intel BGA 2270, while the i3-9320 is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1151. The i7-8706G remains active in production, while the i3-9320 is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, if narrow, overall winner: the Intel Core i7-8706G. It wins every head-to-head benchmark, both multi-core and single-core, by margins of 1.7% to 2.3%. Its average benchmark score of 1842 is higher than the i3-9320's 1808, and both sit at the 42nd percentile, so the i7-8706G is effectively the stronger performer in this pairing.

The i7-8706G is the better choice for users who need a mobile platform with strong integrated graphics. The Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU is a major advantage for compact laptops or all-in-one systems where a discrete graphics card is not an option. The extra threads also help in multi-threaded productivity tasks, as shown by the consistent multi-core wins. For mobile users who want a single package that handles both CPU and GPU workloads, the i7-8706G is the superior pick.

The i3-9320, despite its higher clock speeds and ECC memory support, loses every benchmark in this comparison. Its strengths lie in its desktop socket, which allows for easier upgrades and standard cooling solutions, and its ECC capability, which appeals to users building reliable workstation systems. The higher base and boost clocks are notable, but they do not overcome the i7-8706G's architectural efficiency in the recorded tests. For desktop users who already have a discrete GPU and prioritize ECC memory support, the i3-9320 has a place, but it is not the performance leader here.

The i3-9320 is end-of-life, while the i7-8706G remains active, which may influence availability and long-term support considerations. The i3-9320 has a recorded launch MSRP of $154, but no pricing data exists for the i7-8706G in the database, so a direct cost comparison is not possible from the recorded facts.

In summary, the i7-8706G wins on raw benchmark performance across the board, with a 0.1% to 0.4% gap over its own nearest rivals like the Intel Core i5-7600 and AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G. The i3-9320 sits in a similar tier, with its closest rival being the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U at a 0.1% delta. For users who need the best Cinebench results from these two processors, the i7-8706G is the data-backed choice.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-8706G | Intel Core i3-9320 |

|-------|---------------------|--------------------|

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 62 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2270 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake G | Coffee Lake |

| Generation | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) | Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 126 mm² |

| Memory Bus | Not recorded | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon RX Vega M GL | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2018-01-31 | 2019-04-22 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $154 |

| Part Number | Not recorded | SRF7X |

The two CPUs share the same core count, L1, L2, and L3 cache sizes, 14 nm process node, DDR4 memory support, and locked multipliers. The differences above highlight the i7-8706G's mobile-oriented design with a powerful embedded GPU, versus the i3-9320's desktop-focused feature set with ECC support and higher clock speeds.